Smoke-simulating pipe

ABSTRACT

The invention is directed at the full simulation of a smoking process when a smoker uses the inventive pipe. Said smoking-simulating pipe comprises a shank ( 1 ) and a bowl ( 2 ) which are embodied in one piece, and a stem ( 4 ) which is detachable from the shank ( 1 ) and is provided with a bit, wherein a cavity ( 5 ), which is used for placing a sealed capsule ( 6 ) provided with a nicotine-containing or flavoring agent, is embodied in a smoking channel ( 14 ), and an electric heater ( 7 ) connected to a power supply ( 8 ), which is arranged in the walls of the bowl ( 2 ), is located before the capsule ( 6 ) in the smoking channel ( 14 ).

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to medicine and medical technique and is used asmeans which is helpful in giving up smoking. It can be used underconditions when full smoking is impossible in, say, passengercompartments of airplanes or public places where smoking is prohibited.Besides, the claimed device permits satisfying a smoker's need ofnicotine without a tobacco burning process and attendant isolation ofsmoke and combustion products which are health hazardous for the smokerand people around, such as CO, acetone, arsenic, henzpyrene, tars, tomention only few.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Known is smoking-simulating means in a shape of a cigarette (US PatentApplication 20040003820). The known means comprises a cylindrical bodywhose internal surface is covered by corrugated paper impregnated by asuitable aromatic substance reminding of the burning tobacco. The bodyaccommodates a movable brush whose bristle scratches the corrugatedpaper thereby to promote isolation of an aroma.

The known device is disadvantageous in a weak simulation of a smokingprocess and inconvenient use. To obtain the fragrance of burningtobacco, a brush is moved inside a body all the time, with a brushhandle coming out via a filter in the “smoker's” mouth. Besides, theuser inhales only the smell of the burning tobacco, whilst for the fullsimulation of a smoking process it is necessary to provide at least aminimum introduction of nicotine into an organism whose absence islikely to create certain psychological and/or physiologicalinconveniences.

Known is smoking-simulating means in a shape of a plastic stem connectedwith a cylindrical body thru which the user can inhale an air flow (RU2067876). The body accommodates a cavity for placing a sealed capsuletherein (cartridge) comprising a porous polymer material soaked with anicotine containing agent which can be represented by liquid nicotine ora mixture of nicotine, menthol and ethanol. The body is provided withmeans for capsule seal failure.

The known device is disadvantageous in the weak simulation of a smokingprocess, more exactly, in absence of light and sound effectsaccompanying the smoking process.

A most pertinent prior art solution to the claimed matter as totechnical essence is a smoking-simulating device, as shown and describedin patent U.S. Pat. No. 6,854,470. The device is in a shape of acigarette, more exactly, has a hollow cylindrical body, with a filterarranged in one of its end portions and an electrical bulb in another,connected to a power supply arranged within the body. Various flavouringblends are placed before filter means thru which air is passed the userinhales. Besides, located in the body magnets, a conductive element andan integrated circuit module for the acoustic reproduction (musicalaccompaniment) of the “smoking” process.

The known device is disadvantageous in that it does not allow simulatinga smoking process using a pipe, inasmuch as it is known that smokers aredivided into categories using for smoking: a) cigarettes, b) cigars, c)pipes. Such being the case, the known technical solution that is a veryclose simulation of the cigarette smoking process cannot satisfy thesmokers who are used to smoking a pipe.

The claimed technical solution is directed at the full simulation of asmoking process with the use of a pipe by the smoker.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Said result is attained owing to the fact that a smoking-simulating pipecomprises a shank and a bowl which are embodied in one piece, and a stemwith a bit, which is detachable from the shank, with the provision of,between the shank and the stem in a smoking channel, a cavity which isused for placing a sealed capsule with a nicotine-containing orflavouring agent and an electric heater is located before the capsule inthe smoking channel, which heater is connected to a power supply whichis arranged in the walls of the bowl.

Said result is achieved owing to the fact that a cavity for placing acapsule is provided with means for its seal failure.

Said result is attained owing to the fact that a capsule is embodied inthe form of a hermetically sealed cylinder whose base parts are closedwith membranes.

Said result is attained owing to the fact that a power supply is locatedin a cavity provided in the bottom part of a bowl.

Said result is achieved owing to the fact that a power supply is locatedin a cavity provided in the top part of a bowl.

Said result is attained owing to the fact that a power supply isprovided with a push-button switch situated on the surface of a bowl.

Said result is achieved owing to the fact that a power supply isprovided with a current intensity regulator.

Said result is attained owing to the fact that a current intensityregulator is configured and designed as a ring-shaped rheostat providedat the detachment of a shank and a stem.

Said result is achieved owing to the fact that on the external surfaceof a stem bit are arranged sensors which allow switching on a currentsupply source at the moment of contact thereof.

Said result is attained owing to the fact that the top portion of a pipebowl is rotatable and combined with a mode selector switch.

Said result is achieved owing to the fact that in a smoking channelbetween a bowl and a capsule is provided a sensor which allows switchingon a current supply source at the moment of air passage air via thechannel.

Said result is attained owing to the fact that it is provided with asound source.

Said result is attained owing to the fact that a sound source isembodied as an acoustic transducer connected to a current supply source.

Said result is attained owing to the fact that a sound source isarranged within a bowl.

Said result is attained owing to the fact that a sound source is in ashape of one or more through bores of variable section whose inlets andoutlets are positioned on the internal surface of a bowl.

Said result is achieved owing to the fact that it is provided with alight source located inside a bowl and connected to a current supplysource.

Said result is attained owing to the fact a light source is embodied asa Ne tube securely fastened within a bowl to follow the perimeterthereof.

Implementation of a smoking-simulating pipe as one piece in a shape of ashank with a bowl and a stem with a mouth engaging portion which isdetachable from the shank would afford the fullest simulation of thepipe used by the smoker. Execution of a cavity between the shank and thestem in a smoking channel to accommodate a sealed capsule with anicotine-containing or flavouring agent allows one to reject combustionof tobacco filling said pipe bowl during a full smoking process and tosubstitute it with the vapours of agents contained in said sealedcapsule. Arrangement of an electric heater before the capsule in thesmoking channel, which is connected to a power supply positioned in thewalls of the bowl allows for heating the vapours of thenicotine-containing or flavouring agent being admitted to the smoker,thus simulating the smoking process in the fullest manner. Arrangementof the power supply in the walls of the bowl is most convenient becauseof its relatively large overall dimensions and relatively largedimensions of the walls which just make possible arrangement of saidcurrent supply sources therein.

Providing a pipe cavity for a capsule to be placed, with means for itsseal failure allows the smoker to open a nicotine-containing orflavouring agent source for its use at a determined moment.

A nicotine-containing or flavouring agent capsule can mostadvantageously be used in the form of a sealed cylinder whose base partsare closed with membranes.

Considering the fact that a pipe bowl has thick walls and a bottom part,it is advantageous to place a power supply for feeding an electricheater in the bottom part of the bowl or in the top part thereof.

For the operation of a heater to be provided for a suitable time, it isnecessary to fit a power supply with a switch to be most preferablyrepresented by a push-button switch situated on the side surface of abowl or a bottom part thereof.

In some cases, depending on a particular agent usable in a capsule or ona subjective perception by a smoker, of simulation of a smoking process,a power supply is desired to be provided with a current intensityregulator which allows to a different degree of intensification, forheating vapours at the exit of the stem of a pipe.

Said current intensity regulator can be selected from among those knownand arranged in any one of the portions of a pipe, albeit it is mostconvenient to implement the current intensity regulator in the form of acircular rheostat situated at the detachment of a shank and a stem.

For the fullest simulation of a smoking process, on the external surfaceof a stem bit are arranged sensors for switching on a power supply uponcontact therewith, which factor permits in particular cases ofrealization to optimize simulation of a smoking process owing to thefact that the power supply for heating the vapours of an agent beingadmitted to the smoker thru the stem will be connected at times when thestem is between the smoker's lips.

In particular cases of realization, the top part of a pipe bowl isrotatable and combined with a mode selector switch, which permits tofurther optimize a smoking-simulating process due to the selection bythe smoker, of various operating conditions of the pipe which are mostsuitable to him at a given moment.

To further optimize a smoking-simulating process and to provide anefficient performance of a power source, in a smoking channel between abowl and a capsule is situated a sensor for the connection of the powersupply at the moment of passage of air via the channel.

For a fuller smoking-simulating process, a pipe is fit with a soundsource in a shape of, for example, an acoustic transducer connected to apower supply and is arranged within a bowl or in the form of one or morethrough bores of variable section whose inlets and outlets arepositioned on the internal surface of the bowl.

More, for a further simulation of a smoking process, a pipe is fittedwith a light source situated within a bowl and connected to a powersupply. And inasmuch as during the smoking process, the smoker does notsee the interior of the bowl but only its rim, it is most preferable toimplement the light source in the form of a Ne tube fixed inside thebowl to follow the perimeter thereof.

A concept of the invention, as being claimed and as set forth in theapplication, will now be described in detail with reference to thedrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 illustrates the longitudinal section of the alternativeembodiment of a pipe without providing it with a capsule with anicotine-containing or flavouring agent;

FIG. 2—longitudinal section of the alternative embodiment of a pipeprovided with a capsule with a nicotine-containing or flavouring agent;

FIGS. 3 and 4—pipe from lateral sides thereof, general views;

FIG. 5—longitudinal section of a capsule with a nicotine-containing offlavouring agent;

FIGS. 6-8—successive phases of arrangement of a capsule within a pipeand its seal failure.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

In the most preferable variant of realization, a pipe comprises a shank1 with a bowl 2 embodied in one pieces in which is provided a cavity 3that is not closed and a stem 4 being detachable from the shank 1, acavity 5 is provided between the shank 1 and the stem 4 to accommodate asealed capsule 6 with a nicotine-containing or flavouring agent and anelectric heater 7 is arranged before the cavity 5 and connected to apower supply 8 arranged in a detachable bottom part 9 of the bowl 2 or arotatable top part 13 of the bowl 2. The capsule 6 is in a shape of ahollow cylinder. Sealing of the capsule 6 is provided by membranes 10situated on end portions. Inside the capsule 6 is placed a porousmaterial 11 containing nicotine or a flavouring agent. The cavity foraccommodating the cavity 5 is provided with means for its seal failure12.

The top part 13 of the bowl 2 is rotatable. On rotation of the top part13 of the bowl 2, the switch mode of a pipe takes place.

A channel 14 accommodates a sensor 15 for switching on the power supply8 during air motion in the channel 14. On the external surface of themouthpiece of the stem 4 there is a sensor 16 for connection of thepower supply 8 upon contact with the sensor 16. On the bowl 2 isarranged a push-button switch 17, with the power supply 8 connected onpressing same. The cavity 3 (not closed) accommodates a light source 18and a sound source 19. The heating intensity of the electric heater 7 isregulated by a circular rheostat 20 disposed at the detachment of theshank 1 and the stem 4.

Provision is made of four operating conditions of a pipe. If therotatable top part 13 of the bowl 2 is set in the OFF position, thepower supply 8 is disconnected.

While switching the rotatable top part 13 of the bowl 2 in the “a”position, the electric heater 7, the light source 18 and the soundsource 19 are connected and work if the sensor 16 is contacted .

While switching the rotatable top part 13 of the bowl 2 in the “b”position, the electric heater 7, the light source 18 and the soundsource 19 are connected and work if air moves in the channel 14 andmovement is fixed by the air movement sensor 15.

While switching the rotatable top part 13 of the bowl 2 in the <<c>>position, the electric heater 7, the light source 18 and the soundsource 19 are connected and operate if the push-button switch 17 ispressed.

A pipe is used in the following manner. The stem 4 is detached from theshank 1 and the capsule 6 is placed in the cavity 5. Furthermore, thestem 4 is connected with the shank 1, with seal failure of the capsule 6proceeding during this process which has been due to rupture of themembranes 10 by the seal failure means 12.

Furthermore, the user selects pipe performance being most suitable tohim. In the case of “a” performance, upon contact of the mouthpiece ofthe pipe with the smoker's lips, the electric heater 7, the light source18 and the sound source 19 are connected. The user pulls in air via thechannel 14, which is heated in the electric heater 7 and is saturatedwith nicotine or flavouring agent vapours while passing thru the capsule6. The light source 18 and the sound source 19 produce an effect oftobacco burning in the pipe cavity 3 that is not closed.

In the case of “b” performance, at the time of sucking in air by theuser thru the channel 14, which is fixed by the air movement sensor 15,the electric heater 7, the light source 18 and the sound source 19 areconnected. The user pulls in air via the channel 14, which is heated inthe electric heater 7 and is saturated with nicotine or flavouring agentvapours while passing thru the capsule 6. The light source 18 and thesound source 19 produce an effect of tobacco burning in the cavity 3that is not closed.

In the case of “c” performance, the user himself switches on theelectric heater 7, the light source 18 and the sound source 19 by way ofpressing the push-button switch 17.

The pipe allows one to adequately simulate a smoking process by heatingair and also due to characteristic light and sound effects.

1. A smoking-simulating pipe comprising a shank and a bowl which areembodied in one piece and a stem which is detachable from the shank andis provided with a bit, a cavity is provided between the shank and thestem in a smoking channel to arrange a sealed capsule with anicotine-containing or flavouring agent, and an electric heater issituated before the capsule in the smoking channel and connected with apower supply accommodated in the walls of the bowl wherein: the powersupply is provided with a push-button switch arranged on the surface ofthe bowl; on the external surface of the stem bit are arranged sensorsfor connection of the power supply upon contact therewith; in thesmoking channel between the bowl and the capsule is positioned a sensorfor connection of the power supply at times of air passage via thechannel; and wherein the top part of the bowl of the pipe is rotatableand combined with a mode selector switch.
 2. The pipe according to claim1, wherein the cavity for placing the capsule is fitted with means forits seal failure.
 3. The pipe according to claim 1, wherein the capsuleis in a shape of a hermetically sealed cylinder whose base parts areclosed by membranes.
 4. The pipe according to claim 1, wherein the powersupply is situated in a cavity provided in a bottom part of the bowl. 5.The pipe according to claim 1, wherein the power supply is arranged in acavity provided in a top part of the bowl.
 6. The pipe according toclaim 1, wherein the power supply is provided with a current intensityregulator.
 7. The pipe according to claim 6, wherein the currentintensity regulator is executed in the form of a circular rheostatsituated at the detachment of the shank and the stem.
 8. The pipeaccording to claim 1, wherein it is provided with a sound source.
 9. Thepipe according to claim 8, wherein the sound source is in a shape of anacoustic transducer connected to the power supply.
 10. The pipeaccording to claim 9, wherein the sound supply is accommodated insidethe bowl.
 11. The pipe according to claim 8, wherein the sound source isimplemented in the form of one or more through bores of variable sectionwhose inlets and outlets are positioned on the internal surface of thebowl.
 12. The pipe according to claim 1, wherein it is fitted with alight source situated inside the bowl and connected to the power supply.13. The pipe according to claim 12, wherein the light source is executedin the form of a Ne tube securely fastened within the bowl to follow theperimeter thereof.